Eustis embarks on Ferran Park improvement project

The city of Eustis is considering improvements to Ferran Park.… (Tom Benitez, Orlando Sentinel )

June 22, 2013|By Ludmilla Lelis, Orlando Sentinel

EUSTIS — Ferran Park, the city's first public park, should have a new children's playground and renovated restrooms by next summer.

City commissioners recently approved plans to spend about $210,000 for the project, which are a fraction of the nearly $3.5 million in potential improvements for the iconic park.

Last year, the city hosted several workshops to discuss potential improvements for the park, which is named after city businessman and pioneer Edgar L. Ferran. Eustis started the park in 1913 with a land purchase and the park was created when a bulkhead was built into Lake Eustis and sand was filled for its land.

A new master plan lists nearly $3.495 million in recommended improvements for the park. The priciest item on the wish list would be a $1.4 million expansion of the pool deck and construction of a new splash park.

Other potential projects include: $1 million to improve the sidewalks and landscaping of the main park, $500,000 for parking area pavers, $250,000 for a shade structure on the historic Alice McClelland Memorial Bandshell, $125,000 for wedding and picnic pavilions and $10,000 for large palm trees to help shade the bandshell.

There have also been recommendations to construct a dog park north of the community center for $100,000 and a skate park at Sunset Park for $300,000.

However, city parks and recreation director Joe LaPolla said the budget has about $262,000 available for such capital improvements.

A new playground and renovated restrooms were listed as the top priority items that could be built with the available funds, he said.